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Buenos Aires Tetra

Buenos Aires Tetra

Quick Stats

Size About 4" (10cm)
Tank 120 litres and above for a small school
Swimming Area Top, middle
Ph 5.5 to 8.5
Temperature 74ºF to 85ºF (22-28°C)
Food Flakes and Bloodworm

Common Name:

Buenos Aires Tetra.

Distribution:

The Rio Parana watershed in Brazil/Paraguay, the Rio Uruguay watershed in Brazil.

Colouration:

These are beautiful, muted silvery-blue fish with a black cross over their caudal peduncle and red anal and caudal fins. The caudal fins have a thin white stripe at their base.

Lifespan:

5 to 7 years.

Maintenance:

10% weekly water changes. One of the more hardier species of the Tetra family.

Feeding:

Flakes and Bloodworm as well as some green vegetables such as Romaine lettuce and lightly cooked Corgette (Zucchini).

Substrate:

A sandy bottom is best.

Tank Decor:

These are schooling fish with a huge affinity for plants. They will even eat the bitterest aquatic plants, so plastic plants are a necessity as they need the cover which such decor provides. They love floating "plants" and backgrounds which cover the back of the tank as well as the sides.

Filtration:

Filter suitable to the size of tank in which they are housed.

Biotype:

They live in ponds within the watersheds of large South American rivers.

Breeding:

Much the same as for the Neon and Cardinal Tetras, with less of an emphasis on soft water. Since the adults are oophagous, they must be removed after the spawning. The fry may be raised in the same manner as those of other Tetras.

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